The NZ Warriors have confirmed the signing of St George Illawarra Dragons centre Euan Aitken on a three-year deal, starting in 2021.
The 25-year-old has scored 38 tries in 117 NRL matches after making his debut for the Dragons in 2015. He's also played three Scotland in 2016, and part of New South Wales' State of Origin camp in 2018.
Last week, Aitken announced he would be leaving the Dragons to join the Warriors, but the club made the signing official on Saturday.
Aitken joins Warrington Wolves forward Ben Murdoch-Masila and Parramatta Eels prop Kane Evans as players who have put pen to paper to join the Warriors next year.
"We are excited to have a player of Euan's capabilities joining us," says Warriors recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.
"He can play either side of the field and is in stellar form at the moment.
"Euan was a State of Origin squad player two years ago and he's back in that form at the moment. I can see his game going from strength to strength as he hits his prime age and experience levels.
"His ability to break the line with power and speed are what he'll bring to us and he's a robust player with a big upside."
Warriors chief executive Cameron George expects Aitken to be part of the club's leadership group.
"After speaking with Euan we were ultra-impressed with his professionalism and we're looking for him to be a leader in our group moving forward," says George.
"He's a quality young man who fits all the criteria we are looking for in our players and he can't wait to join us and be part of a successful Vodafone Warriors outfit."
The Warriors still have lots of current squad members off contract at the end of the season including Gerard Beale, Lachlan Burr, Nathaniel Roache, Adam Keighran, Taane Milne, Peta Hiku, Patrick Herbert, Isaiah Papali'i, and Leivaha Pulu.
Warriors owner Mark Robinson has already confirmed Beale will leave the club at the end of the season, while Burr announced earlier in the week he will also be leaving, with Roache set to follow suit.
Interim Warriors coach Todd Payten said he expects Keighran to re-sign with the club while Milne has reportedly signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs for next year. Everyone else's future is still up in the air.
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